It’s madness.
It’s magnificent madness.
It’s the most magnificent boomsnickery trollsnuffery madness
I’ve ever read.
It’s totally clear that if I read the blurb for this book when I first got it (and Amazon tells me I got it on 28 Mar 2013, so probably on a free day) I had certainly forgotten it by the new year. So I came to the opening chapter with no expectations or memory of what it was about.
I soon found a young man with no sense, or not enough to resist the challenge of a stuck up girl to a Habanero pepper eating contest (bad move), as a consequence of which he is too late to both ice cupcakes (family business) and see a football game, which mean his friends desert him. Then he ignores all the signs that there are monsters in his wood, despite his Gran’s warnings, and pooh-poohs his little brother’s warning of a hole under his bed.
It’s all true of course, and the cause is the opening of the way into the troll kingdom. Colin (the young man) soon becomes involved in a dangerous quest to recover his Gran, who’s been stolen by the trolls, and has to find two precious rocks in exchange for information on where to find her.
There is fighting, mayhem, explosions, auditory-enhanced birds, giant centipedes (poisonous, of course), stones that twinkle and rocks that return to life. It is so pacey it’s hard to keep up, although I did read it in three sittings – all the better to enjoy the experience. I reckon this would be fantastic to read aloud (or to be read to) over a week or two.
I am overwhelmed with admiration for M.G.King’s turns of phrase. The characters are brilliant, her descriptions are stunning, and the inventiveness of her plot twists drives me crazy. I should give up writing in the face of this genius.
Fizz & Peppers at the Bottom of the World by M.G.King.
Probably the best and funniest and most enjoyable read of the year.
I wasn’t sure how this review was gong to turn out at the beginning of it, but you surprised me. The book sounds quite wonderful and I will put it on the list for my young friends. How are you liking camp? Had any evening fires in the fire pit with s’mores yet?
Last two evenings have been good, but no s’mores (are they toasted marshmallows?). We were hoping for a campfire tonight but the rain has delayed that. Maybe tomorrow. 🙂
Toasted marshmallows and a hunk of chocolate between two graham crackers. You may have to be an American to eat it 😀
Love the review and need to add the book to my list.
Wow, high praise! I’m pretty sure I have this book sitting on my iPad, too. Thanks for reminding me. Have a super day at camp, tomorrow!
Thanks, Christine 🙂
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I started this book a while and go and was totally taken with it and utterly in awe of MG King’s writing style. Somehow I got distracted and didn’t return to it, but I must do that asap. Thanks for reminding me of this awesome book and for joining us on the Kid Lit Blog Hop
I know what you mean! She’s quite something, isn’t she!
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